Remote Ambassador for a Country in Conflict:
‘Sudan Should not be Forgotten’
Food shortages, looting, and violence. Since the outbreak of fierce fighting in the capital Khartoum, it has been the daily reality for many people for months. Wierish Ramsoekh was appointed ambassador to Sudan in March 2023. He tells us how the situation is now and how the Netherlands is committed to peace and stability in the country.
Enlarge image Fighting in Sudan
In Sudan, fierce fighting broke out in April 2023, which still ensured great instability in the country.
On 15 April 2023, the inhabitants of Khartoum were startled by loud bangs, shots, and screams. The Sudanese capital has been the battleground between the government army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group fighting for power in the country for almost nine months. ‘The situation is different every week,’ says Wierish Ramsoekh from The Hague. Last August he started as head of the post without having set foot on Sudanese soil or having handed over his credentials. Officially, he is not yet an ambassador, but temporarily sequencing. He continues: “In December, a ceasefire seemed like a serious option, but then the fighting continued.”
The conflict takes a heavy toll on the population of Sudan. Especially in the capital, Ramsoekh sees. ‘In Khartoum, shops and homes have been looted. To scare people, sexual violence is being used and eating, drinking, and care are becoming increasingly difficult to get. We are very concerned about the enormous famine that could arise next year.”
The Forgotten War
Despite the terrible situation, there is little attention to the conflict in the Netherlands. “A lot is going on in the world,” Wierish says. The attention of the media and many countries is therefore mainly focused on other conflicts and not on Sudan, he thinks. “It’s even called a forgotten war.”
Nevertheless, Sudan should not be forgotten, emphasizes the diplomat stationed in the Netherlands. ‘For many people, it probably feels far from their beds, but the developments in Sudan are also important for the Netherlands. If the government loses control, new refugee flows will occur and the country could become a breeding ground for terrorist organizations. And besides: we can’t see a million people starving to death? “People are being raped and tortured?”
Wierish also fears that the conflict can spread to the surrounding countries. The series of coups of the past few years has previously proved that the region is prone to instability. “We must prevent chaos in the region, otherwise we will notice the consequences in Europe.”
The European Sanctions
The Netherlands therefore actively draws attention to the situation in Sudan in the European Union and the United Nations. For example, the Netherlands called for smart sanctions against individuals in Sudan in the European Union, Wierish says. “This allows us to actively intercede with the people who are interceding the way to peace and to touch them personally. For example, by freezing funds on foreign banks or by setting
Aids remain vital for Sudan.
Emergency assistance
The Netherlands is also a major donor in the field of humanitarian aid. For example, the Netherlands supports aid workers from the United Nations and the Red Cross but also plays a role through diplomatic channels. “Helpers often have to wait a long time for a visa and many aids are delayed in border controls,” Wierish says. “We are trying to remove these bureaucratic barriers by making agreements and putting pressure on the warring parties. So that the necessary help can reach people in need faster.”
A major concern for the coming year is the growing shortage of food. “This is not only about the short term but also about preventing hunger in the future,” he explains. ‘How do you ensure that the farmers get seeds in time and that there will be enough harvest next year? We actively think about this issue, so that this issue is higher on the international agendas and we can take action in a targeted way.’
Documenting of war crimes
The embassy also supports some local projects, including an NGO that documents human rights violations in Sudan. “Both parties in Sudan are guilty of horrific war crimes, such as rape and murder,” the Wierish said. “It is therefore very important that information about these crimes is properly documented so that in due course the evidence is legally valid and can be used in court in due course.”
The flexible programs
But can you carry out development projects in a country where there is still fierce fighting? The first reaction is often: no. However, according to Wierish, it is not that simple. ‘Take, for example, Orange Corners, an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that offers vocational education to young entrepreneurs. Should we stop that, while there is more demand for trained entrepreneurs than ever? Many entrepreneurs and highly educated people have moved away from Sudan. If they don’t come back, there will be a huge shortage of knowledge.”
The embassy is working with flexible programming. For example, they can temporarily stop projects, carry out them in another area, or switch to another activity. ‘We always look at whether it is safe enough to carry out projects’, he explains. “If you stop completely, you let people down. With flexible programs you can continue, but under responsible circumstances.’
Many people were evacuated from Sudan after the outbreak of the conflict, including with the support of Dutch embassies in the region. These embassies still play a major role.
*Back to the region
In recent months, the embassy employees have worked from three different countries: the Netherlands, Egypt, and Kenya. “We don’t have a physical embassy, but we do function very well as a team. We do feel that the distance to Sudan is too big, tells the ‘ambassador remotely’.
Next year he hopes to work more from the region together with his team. For example, in Nairobi, where a lot of development and humanitarian work takes place. Or in Addis Ababa, where most political talks are held and the office of the African Union is located. Cairo is also an option because many influential people from Sudan are taken care of. ‘For us, it is important to determine: where can we achieve the most added value as an embassy?’, Wierish explains. He concludes: ‘One thing is for sure: The Hague is too far away. We need to get back to the region.”